Avery James Photography

Monday, January 10, 2011

Do you have a bucket list? Did you see the movie The Bucket List with Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman? If not, you should check it out because I think it's important for everyone to have some form of a bucket list....whether it just be a goal inside your head, a list of ideas and dreams written in your journal, or a well thought out, realistic, set of 'wants' in yours life.

For those who don't know what a bucket list is, it's basically a list of things you want to do before you die. Sky diving, asking someone on a date, visiting Disneyworld, sailing around the world, or even something as simple as trying a strange food. Then the intent is to make every effort to check off all of the things on your list sometime in your lifetime.

A few years back, I actually made a bucket list as I was on a flight...it was a perfect moment for me to do it since I'm terrified of flying, and focusing on all the things I wanted to do with my life was helpful in keeping my mind off of the possibility of death arriving on the airplane (yes, I'm seriously terrified...not just a little). I'm not really sure whatever happened with that list, but I'm sure it's in my house somewhere....not helpful though since I don't remember what was on it, so eventually I'll have to make another one.

BUT - I did decide to do a short version of my bucket list here....one thing that I would love to do before I die is to visit every U.S. state there is at least once. Ideally I'd like to stay in each of them and explore the state and all it has to offer, but for now I'm counting ones that I've just driven through as well, but I'm going to note the difference.

I'll come back to this post and update it as I visit more states, and I'll link back to it in the future as well. :)

Below is my list - I'd love to see you all post your own bucket list, or portion of one....link it back here if you do so I can check it out!!! :)

Crystal's Traveling Bucket List

GOAL: Visit every U.S. State at least once

PROGRESS: States visited are outlined below

1. California (obviously, cause I live here)

2. Nevada (a second home to me practically)

3. Pennsylvania (went to college here)

4. Arizona

5. Florida (aiming to go again this November!)

6. New York

7. Massachusetts

8. Colorado

9. Utah (my most recent visit just this past weekend)

The rest of these were more of a drive-thru on the way to my destination, although I did stay overnight and explore a bit in a few of these states

10. West Virginia

11. Virginia

12. North Carolina

13. South Carolina (stayed and explored a bit)

14. Georgia

15. Ohio

16. Indiana (explored a bit)

17. llinois

18. Missouri

19. Oklahoma (explored a bit)

20. Texas (stayed overnight and explored a bit)

21. New Mexico

22. Maine (did a photoshoot here and explored a bit)

23. New Hampshire (just a quick drive through)

So it looks like I'm just about halfway through the states...not bad for being 29.5 yrs old (I turn 30 in June!). I'd like to expand on my quick trip locations though and actually do a little more exploring in those states. My next road trip though is likely going to be driving up the West Coast from California, and I think going up to Seattle and then back down. Really looking forward to that one!! :) :)

And just so I can leave this post with a picture - I took this photo yesterday at the Zion National Park in Utah - I hiked up this trail with my son and his father - a little scary cause it was really icy and slippery, but there were railings on the scariest parts...and I never would have taken my son anywhere that I wasn't confident about the safety of it or my ability to get him through it safely, although it was rated "Moderate" on the trail scale. My son is fairly well behaved though and isn't the type to run off or anything like that...his hand was firmly attached to mine the entire hike. :)

I'll have to post more about this glorious hike though in another dedicated post, cause it was AMAZING. Below is the view we received once we reached the top! :)

11 comments:

Love the photo.So funny you posted this because I ask my friends on FB today what is on their Bucket List. Mine changes but I'd love to learn to sew well, write a book, live on Tybee Island, go to Peru, have a facial studio, and have a vintage 2 door Mercedes.

My husbands cousins have camped in every single state except TN (long story, his aunt was a bit of a head case)! I'd like to do a similar list. I want to got to Europe with my husband, I've been twice, but he's never been. Have a wonderful day!